Mark and Spencer has released the first images of its new store opening in East London next month.

The M&S store at Stratford City, next to the 2012 Olympic Park, will be the third largest outlet for the famous British retailer after its Marble Arch and Bluewater stores. At 136,000 sq ft across four floors it is also 30 per cent bigger than another Westfield store in White City.

A team of 550 people have been recruited to work in the store, a mixture of new employees and transfers from other stores.

It will be the most carbon efficient M&S store to date with sun pipes providing natural light to staff areas. The Foodhall uses a hydrocarbon refrigeration system significantly reducing environmental impact.

And nearly 100 per cent of the store’s heating, hot water and cooling will be provided by Westfield shopping centre’s own power plant.

The M&S store will also feature a ‘green living’ roof providing natural insulation and encouraging biodiversity by attracting native wildlife such as insects and bees to the site.

If you value what this story gives you, please consider supporting the East London Advertiser. Click the link in the yellow box below for details.

This newspaper has been a central part of community life for many years, through good times and bad, serving as your advocate and trusted source of local information. Our industry is facing testing times, which is why I’m asking for your support. Every single contribution will help us continue to produce award-winning local journalism that makes a measurable difference to our community.